Map-case.



T. H. COSTELLO. MAP CASE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 3, I9i6.

Patented July 17, 1917.

THOMAS H. COSTELLO, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

MAP-CASE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 17, 1917.

Application filed February 3, 1916. Serial No. 75,896.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS H. COSTELLO, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Map-Cases, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to protecting cases which are used for holding maps mounted on spring rollers, and which are suspended in such manner that the maps may be readily reached and extended for reference. In the form of such cases or racks which is com monly used the rollers are disposed vertically above each other. As each map is drawn downward it is dragged over the map or roller next below, or in case the bottom map is extended it may come in contact with the edge of the case. Such frictional contact rapidly wears and destroys the maps. It is the object of my invention to provide a means of suspension, whereby the containing case may be placed and secured on the wall in a forwardly inclined position, so that the front side of each of the map rollers will project beyond the roller immediately below it. I also construct the lower part of the case that the lowermost map will be freed from frictional contact therewith, and so attach the suspending devices to the case itself that they may be readily folded thereon for shipment or extended when the device is to be suspended where the maps are to be used.

The principles of my invention are illustrated in the drawings, in which- Figure 1 shows a front elevation of my improved map case, the door being turned down to disclose the maps therein;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same with the door closed, when in the suspended position;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Further describing my invention with ref erence to the drawings: 11 are the ends, 2 is the top extended forwardly and laterally to form a cornice, and 3 is a bottom board of my improved map case. A back 3 and a door 4, which is hinged to the bottom board 3, are also provided to form a secure and dust proof inclosure. The door 1 swings downwardly as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, and is secured by hinges 5 to the bottom board 3. The latter is chamfered on its front and upper edge as shown at 6. The door may be secured in the closed position by the latch 7 or other suitable means. Inside the end pieces are strips or brackets 10 and 11 in which are journaled respectively the round stub 10 and the squared ends of the spring shafts 11 of the roller 12 in the usual manner. To said rollers are attached the maps 13, which at their outer or free ends have the map sticks 14: and are provided with the rings 15, by which the maps are extended. The ends of said map sticks project beyond the maps and are adapted to engage the strips 10 and 11 when the maps are rolled up into the storage position. But, being placed as near to each other as possible for economy of space, it is apparent that if any one of the maps is drawn out or extended downwardly at the ordinary angle at which such extension would be made, it will draw upon the lower edge of the map immediately beneath and the friction thereof will deface and wear, and finally destroy the maps. To prevent this I provide means for suspending the case upon the wall in an inclined position. For this purpose I prefer to use metal arms or strips 16 which are pivoted at 17 to the upper end and adjacent to the front edge of the case. It will be noted that the top board 2 is extended at 2 slightly beyond the end pieces 1. The strips 16 should preferably be so placed with reference thereto that when turned into the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3 the upper edges of said strips will rest along the underside of the said top board. The free end of said suspending strip 16 may be provided with an off-set or foot 18 which will rest against the wall to which the case is to be secured, and fastened by screws 19 or other suitable means. When so suspended, the strip being now rigid relatively to the remainder of the structure, the center of gravity will be shifted sothat the case will normally assume the inclined position. When in this position and the maps are extended in their line of normal movement each one will worl; free from the map immediately beneath it and the lowermost map will also have clearance from the baseboard by reason of the chamfer at the front edge thereof.

I claim 1. A map case substantially rectangular in vertical cross section, and suspending arms backwardly extended from said case and rigid means on the case engageable by said arms whereby when said case is suspended thereby it will be forwardly inclined.

2. A map case substantially rectangular in vertical cross section, rigid suspending arms pivoted thereto, and rigid means on the case engageable by said arms for limiting the upward swing of said arms when turned backwardly from said case.

3. A map case substantially rectangular in vertical cross section, and having a cornice extended beyond the side pieces thereof, rigid suspending arms pivoted to the side pieces of the case below the cornice ends and adapted to be engaged thereby when turned backwardly and upwardly.

4t. Ina map case substantially rectangular in vertical cross section and having means for suspending the same in a forwardly inclined position, means inside the ends of said case. for mounting map rollers, and a door hinged to the forward edge of the 7 bottom board of said case, said board being chamfered on the upper and front edge i the cornice piece and adapted to be engaged thereby when turned backwardly and upwardly, a door hinged to the forward edge of the bottom board, and brackets inside the ends of said case to receive the map rollers.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 31st day of January 1916, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

- THOMAS H. COSTELLO. Witnesses:

O. K. CHAMBERLAIN, A. S. PHILLIPS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. V 

